As many may be aware, I had a lot to do with the 2010 and 2011
Cooper Creek Floods and I had direct contact with Government officials for the latest details.
Well this year is no different and back in March I was again in contact with Government Officials and given privileged details that were only seen in one other place, and not media releases.
The new Barge is not free, $25 for car up to Coaster Bus size, $10 for motorbikes, Trailers and campers $15 and $750 for road trains......one way pricing.
When the barge was officially open, it was operating 24/7, but as from the 5 December will be operating from 7am to 5.30pm 7 days a week and closed for half a day for maintenance.
There is still around 3 kilometres of
water over the
Birdsville Track, so until this
water has dryed out, the stability of the road checked, the new barge will continue to operate to into next year.
The Barge is massive, constructed to take the largest cattle trucks and even dwarfs the River Murray ferries here in South Australia. I unfortunately had other commitments for the official launch, but made the trip days after seeing I personally had a lot to do with it.
Before heading up, contacted another one of my contacts for permission to
camp out on the Cooper, but his simple words were, I have a better place this time Stephen and had the best ever
camp on the banks of
Lake Killamperpunna and around 5 kilometres as the crow flys from the barge site.
The new barge is just massive
Heading over on the new MV Margaret Barge
Road Train of cattle waiting to cross on the new Barge
Road Train of supplies heading over on the barge to replenish Mungerannie and Stations on the Birdsville Track
Our perfect camp on Lake Killamperpunna
Heading north up the Birdsville Track from Marree
There is still lots of water over the southern section of the Birdsville Track
Special Memorial Cairn for a stockman that crossed 800 head of cattle at this point
The Birdsville Track is still closed
This camp on Lake Killamperpunna was just perfect
New memorial to a Birdsville Track Grader operator
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